The greatest deception of the human mind in Christ’s day was that a mere assent to the truth constitutes righteousness. In all human experience a theoretical knowledge of the truth has been proved to be insufficient for the saving of the soul. It does not bring forth the fruits of righteousness…. The Pharisees claimed to be children of Abraham, and boasted of their possession of the oracles of God; yet these advantages did not preserve them from selfishness, malignity, greed for gain, and the basest hypocrisy….

The same danger still exists. Many take it for granted that they are Christians, simply because they subscribe to certain theological tenets. But they have not brought the truth into practical life. They have not believed and loved it, therefore they have not received the power and grace that come through sanctification of the truth. Men may profess faith in the truth; but if it does not make them sincere, kind, patient, forbearing, heavenly-minded, it is a curse to its possessors, and through their influence it is a curse to the world.

The righteousness which Christ taught is conformity of heart and life to the revealed will of God. Sinful men can become righteous only as they have faith in God and maintain a vital connection with Him. Then true godliness will elevate the thoughts and ennoble the life. Then the external forms of religion accord with the Christian’s internal purity. Then the ceremonies required in the service of God are not meaningless rites, like those of the hypocritical Pharisees.48The Desire of Ages, 309, 310.

Salvation is God’s free gift to the believer, given to him for Christ’s sake alone. The troubled soul may find peace through faith in Christ, and his peace will be in proportion to his faith and trust. He cannot present his good works as a plea for the salvation of his soul.49SDA Bible Commentary 5:1122.
The Faith I Live By p 108
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Mindy who had a brain tumor removed last week. Michael
—-A friend and fellow church member is in hospital and has had a stroke. She may need surgery to stop the bleeding. She has a husband and two young children. Prayers appreciated. Debra
—-Please pray for Marvin who has cancer and is in a lot of pain. Rose
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Dear Friends,

After my grandfather and his brother were grown, my great-grandmother was very lonely. Somehow, she talked her husband into adopting a child. They chose a little girl named Margaret. She gave my great-grandmother some comfort from her difficult life. Sadly, this little girl lived only until she was about thirteen.

Without the antibiotics that we have today, many diseases in those far off days were fatal. Lacking an understanding of viruses and bacteria, the common people had many theories as to how these diseases were contracted. The people theorized that the diphtheria germ floated in the air until stuck to the rooftops. This seemed to make sense to them, because it seemed that when the snow and ice that covered the roof began to melt and form icicles, children would get this illness. They decided that the germs were in the icicles. Parents warned their children never to eat them and explained that if they did, they would get very sick and die.

Despite the warnings, Margaret decided to break off one of those dripping icicles and suck on it. Her throat felt dry and the forbidden icicle’s coldness felt soothing. She wondered why she had not tried it before. Shortly after this she got diphtheria and died. Everyone believed it was because of that icicle.

Every winter, when I was a little girl, my grandfather often showed me a picture of Margaret in her casket and warn me never to eat or even take one, small lick of an icicle no matter how good it looked. No doubt Margaret contracted diphtheria in a completely different way, but my grandfather believed that old theory all of his life. He loved me and was always so afraid that something would happen to me. So he gave me warning after warning.

Just as the people of long ago had some strange ideas about how diseases were spread, so there are many different theories about what is truth. Our Great Creator placed deep within each of us is the desire to know the truth. Yet, the evil one has placed counterfeits in the path in order to keep us from the very truth that we need. Some people declare that in order to be saved, we must make difficult pilgrimages to various shrines or holy places. Some say that in order to be saved, we must perform certain rites and ceremonies. Some believe that if they exactly follow the ten commandments, they can earn their way to salvation. Others believe that whatever their minister says is the truth and their idea of truth fluctuates according to whatever pastor they happen to have. Still others believe that all we have to do is believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and live as we please.

What is truth? How can we know the way? Solomon warns, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Prov 14:12 Our Dear Saviour tells us, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.” Matt 7:13,14; Luke 13:24 Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy word is truth.” John 17:17 God’s Holy Word is “and lamp unto (our) feet and a light unto (our) path.” Ps 119:105 Jesus declares, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32

Only through the study of God’s Holy Word can we find the truth. “Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.” “The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward. . . cleanse thou me from secret faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” Ps 119:160; 19:7-14

Peter, as he was writing to the believers also assures us of this fact. He tells of his experience on the mount of transfiguration and then he makes the point that more important than what we see, more sure than what we hear, is the Word of God. “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” 2 Peter 1:19-21 Isaiah was moved to write, “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.” Isa 8:20 Here is the key. Everything we hear, everything we read must be tested by a “Thus saith the Lord.”

Why is a study of the Scriptures so important? From Genesis to Revelation they reveal the Way, the Truth, and the Life, “Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” John 14:6; Gal 1:4,5 “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.” 1John 3:1 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12 Praise God! The Only Begotten Son of God left all of the glories of Heaven, all the worship of beings unfallen, all the adoration of the angels, and came to this dark and miserable planet to suffer and die the cruelest of deaths; that He might “redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:14 “What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.” Rom 6:15,16; 1 Cor 6:19,20

Where do works fit in? James explains their importance for a balanced Christian life. “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.” James 2:14-18

Therefore, let us “study to show [ourselves] approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15 May we “work out [our] own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in [us] both to will and to do of His good pleasure.” Phil 2:12,13

Rose

Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/self-righteousness-insufficient-2.html